CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012-2017 Nissan Versa has an expensive CVT transmission failure defect that shows up plainly in our complaint data.

In late 2019, the CVT defect was subject to a class action settlement. However the settlement only covers transmission repairs up to 7 years after purchase or 84,000 miles (whichever occurs first).

Because many owners commonly drive 20,000 miles/year or more, Versa owners experiencing CVT transmission problems may find they are not covered by this settlement due to the mileage limitation.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Nissan Versa miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2013 Nissan Versa Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #28

Sep 092022

Versa

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Transmission was replaced in 2016 at 60K miles. 3 years after the car was bought brand new. As of today the car has 114K miles. September 9, 2022 my transmission completely shut down on me. Also the check engine like came on. I have had the car only a year and the problem just came about. Im worried and concerned that the transmission should have not got out this quick for me. And also concerned as to why the original owner had the same transmission problem as me and had to replace after 3 years! I got in my car Sep 9, 2022 and drove about 20 minutes and the car started jerking forward and the RPMs were going crazy moving so fast. I turned around to head back home, i got on the bridge and was driving about 50/55mph. The car started decreasing in speed all the way to 0. Turned the car off and tried to continue to make my way back home. I had to take back streets home and every time I stopped at a red light or stop sign the car would take a second to drive off after. I brought the car to a mechanic who told me my transmission went out. Since the car transmission was last replaced only 54,000 miles have been put on the car. The fuel for the transmission was dark.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #27

Dec 012021

Versa

  • miles
the heat shield fell off my 2013 versa. i understandthis is common versa cars. that shows manufacturing quality control issues that harm the engine. please make sure you report that the heat shield fell off the bottom of my car. it was not secrured properly. the ar only has 57,000 miles on it. in addition the headlights do not work. there must an electrical short that always causes the highbeams to fail.

- Fleminton, NJ, USA

problem #26

Jul 222021

Versa

  • miles
Car is experiencing transmission problems including: Shifting problems, hesitation on acceleration, delayed shifting, lack of power, shuddering, revving and/or surging RPMs, etc.

- Salem, WV, USA

problem #25

Oct 242021

Versa

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Breaks was unsafe, some piece was broken close by my tires

- San Diego , CA, USA

problem #24

Jun 022021

Versa 4-cyl

  • miles
The car surges, jerks, increases in RPM's, stalls. This has been happening on & off for quite sometime, but recently has become more frequent.

- Statham, GA, USA

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problem #23

Feb 152021

Versa

  • 104,000 miles
Transmission gave up. I was never notified that warranty would expire 4/15/20. I was very sick January and February 2020; I was afraid to leave my home because of covid-19. I live in the sacrament valley in California and I have been maintaining my car as scheduled. Now I need a transmission on a a car that it is not even 10 years old.

- Woodland, CA, USA

problem #22

Jul 212020

Versa

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Several times while driving the car just shuts off. This happens while driving without any warning. First time was turning left at a light, took off and midway through the turn car shut off and luckily was able to pull over to a bus stop and not get rear-ended. Now has stopped several times while driving on the street roughly 40 miles per hour on the street. Car shut off while driving and comes to a crawl, almost got rear-ended but car behind stopped in time. Started car back up and it started working again, then a few minutes later it turned off again while driving on the street.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #21

Apr 292019

Versa

  • 120,024 miles
Cvt transmission started going out. Same exact issues as other nissians with the cvt transmission in them. I just recently purchased vehicle from car lot haven't had it for more than a month. All sudden I tried accelerating from dead stop car wouldn't move turned car off then back on it started working ok, then while driving on busy interstate car just wouldn't get any power pressed gas nothing car started jolting as if I had put it in a gear other than drive almost causing me to be rammed from behind by 18 wheeler please help.

- Carencro, LA, USA

problem #20

Feb 092019

Versa

  • 80,000 miles
I was driving at a normal speed on the street and all of a sudden the car starts to slow down and comes to a sudden stop I tried to press the gas and does not run. I have been stuck in the middle of the road not being able to drive. I almost got rear ended due to the sudden stop with no warning or lights on.

- Lompoc, CA, USA

problem #19

Dec 012015

Versa

  • 60,000 miles
I bought this car in 2015, the car already had cvt issues. It used to jerk and sometimes I had to turn it on again because the car would not move. I was not aware it was a transmission problem. The RPM started to go up and down, in the hills the car would not get speed. In 2017, the car was stopping in the middle of the road to the point that I could not drive anymore, putting my life in dangerous. I went to Nissan and the transmission was replaced, in July 2018 the RPM started to go up and down again. On December 31st I went to Nissan and I was told that I needed to replace a transmission part, I replaced it. However, as soon as I left Nissan I realized that the problem was still there. I went back to Nissan they told me that water was going inside a hole in my trunk and going to the lights and it was causing the problem. I went to a trusted body shop and a mechanic to get a second opinion, both told me that the lights did not have to do with the malfunction of the car., besides there wasn't any water marks inside my truck. I went back to Nissan and I was told that the light connector needed to be replaced, that was causing the problem. However, I went to my mechanic again and another repair place, both affirmed that lights has nothing to do with transmission, issues related with RPM or the car stopping in the middle of the road. There is a engine code on which shows the part that I just changed at Nissan. Now I am concerned with my safety because if I stop at an intersection the car sometimes won't move, people start to honk at me. In addition it can be dangerous because in an intersection you have to be able to move your car quickly.

- Union, NJ, USA

problem #18

Dec 282018

Versa

  • 83,450 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission will not accelerate which can lead to accidents when traffic is unable to slow down when Nissan slows down and will not accelerate. Appears that 2014 had a recall but that recall is not honored for 2013 Nissan Versa. A 5 year old car needs a transmission before the car is even paid off

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #17

Nov 112018

Versa

  • 52,305 miles
We own a 2013 Nissan Versa, with 52,310 miles. We keep great care of the car, with routine maintance checks, oil changes, tire rotations, etc. The car is housed in the midwest, thus driving on a fairly flat surface it's whole existence. The vehicle has never been in an accident. We found out we have to get a whole new transmission put in our vehicle costing $4,050. This seems outrageous as our vehicle has less miles than the average vehicle puts on each year. We also have to get new front brushing costing $387.53. This is ridiculous for a car with that little of mileage on it. It has never been in an accident of any kind. Outrageous!. the vehicle clocks when braking, going over the smallest bumps, and turning. The vahie struggles to get up to 40 mph and has a noticeable kick to it. We took the vehicle in as soon as we noticed a problem.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #16

Oct 252018

Versa

  • 85,000 miles
When I first purchased my vehicle (new) in 2012 for the 2013 Nissan Versa, I noticed that when taking off at a red light, the engine/trans sounded like it was a hesitating to go. I mentioned this to the service guy when I went in for my first oil change, he said that it's because it a cvt transmission. About 1 year ago or so, the car would jerk when taking off at 20mph and the RPM needle would go up and down as I accelerate to go faster, I've taken this car for oil changes and kept up with the recommended services. I've had the trans oil changed and it still does this especially going on the expressway. The car hesitates to go, and now I read that there are multiple people having the same issues just like I do. This morning when getting on the expressway to go to work, I was accelerating and it hesitated (like always), then as I gave it gas, it jerked (rmp needle jumped to 4 then back down to 2) and sped up and I almost hit the vehicle in front of me. I'm so nervous right now. Please help. This is dangerous! I'm a single mom of 3 and very precious cargo with me. I don't want to have an accident because of this really bad system, and then something to be done about it. There has to be some kind of recall on these transmissions before someone gets killed.

- Summit Argo, IL, USA

problem #15

Aug 162018

Versa

  • miles
My vehicle jerks when making right turns. I was I need to completely replace my transmission. After doing further research, nissa has a recall on all their Nissan Versa's transmissions.

- Lawton, OK, USA

problem #14

Apr 302018

Versa

  • 44,000 miles
I drive a 2013 Nissan Versa. I've had it about 4 years, the car has about 40,000 miles. Recently, my car started shuttering (vibrating) as I accelerate. I've taken my car to the dealership twice (third time will be either tomorrow or Tuesday) and they cannot figure out what's going on with it. I don't know if this is dangerous or not and not only do I depend on this car, but I drive an 82 year old woman around to dr appointments. Nissan itself doesn't want to do anything about this problem (you know, like finding out why this is happening.) this is ridiculous and the NHTSA needs to not only hold them accountable, but also force Nissan to fix this problem. I'm paying a boat load of money and time trying to get to the bottom of this issue

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #13

Apr 242018

Versa

  • 86,000 miles
Got PO705 code, engine light on... sometimes the gear display gets black...does not display in what gear I am..I turn off and back on to make sure I see in what gear I am...while in drive, and idle at traffic light, the engine hesitates a lot like something was misplaced......

- Salem, WI, USA

problem #12

Apr 242018

Versa

  • 52,000 miles
Exhaust heat shields are coming off during normal driving. No damage to heat shields are causing the issue.

- Hazlehurst, GA, USA

problem #11

Feb 232018

Versa

  • 131,500 miles
After taking to the auto shop today (03/13/2018) the mechanic (business owner and with 30+ years of experience) informed me that the car has a transmission issues. In his own words, the car is not that old to have transmission problems. The car is still running but there is a strong noise when trying to change gears. It does not run smoothly as used to.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #10

Oct 122013

Versa

  • 2,000 miles
I have an issue with my heat shield screws coming undone about every 6 months. I understand this is common on a Nissan Versa. There needs to be a recall for this problem with a suitable remedy, so the screws or clamps on the heat shield doesn't continue to loosen up. The rattling noise is very annoying and could cause an accident due to the distraction it causes. The only way to currently tightening the screws or replace them is to bring it to a garage and have the vehicle put on a lift, which is an expense, since this problem will continue well after the warranty has expired. The dealership so called fixed my loosened or replaced my lost clamps several times and I am still either tightening the clamps or replacing them two years after my warranty has expired. I don't see this problem stopping. I bought two Versas on the same day, so I now have double trouble and double the bills to continually fix this problem, which is only a temporary fix at best. It's basically a cheap thin foil that is the heat shield, with the hole for the clamps widening from the vibration of the vehicle, or the clamps just loosen from the vibration. There are several causes for the heat shield coming undone. I would say installing a more rigid material for the heat shield and better quality fasteners with lock washes would correct this problem.

- Scarborough, ME, USA

problem #9

Jul 282017

Versa

  • miles
Shaking feels like it will completely turn off. Vehicle has stopped at a red light a feels times already completely turning off. Vehicle doesn't not go above 50-60 mph without struggling. Hesitates to go after stopping at a light or stop sign. It's a rough ride rather then being a smooth ride in the past. In all occasions I've had my 2 small children in the car with me. Unfortunately I do not trust this car. First problem was July 28th 2017 at 5:15pm.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

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